Jake Slaughter's grit, smarts with Gators overshadow one ‘gotcha' NFL moment
GAINESVILLE - Center Jake Slaughter doesn’t get stumped often. It’s part of what made him indispensable at Florida.
His football IQ, toughness and leadership helped produce a consensus All-America season in 2024 and twice a spot on the All-SEC first team. But even Slaugther was caught off guard by NFL decision-makers at the scouting combine.
“They were asking about legal records. I got a fender bender in high school, and they found that one,” Slaughter said. “That was a gotcha.”
Back in April 2020 Slaughter was a day laborer in Ocala during the pandemic, months before arriving at UF. The minor traffic mishap had long faded from memory - not exactly the kind of moment he expected to revisit at the combine.
“I said, ‘Buddy, we were in COVID. I don’t know,’ ” Slaughter recalled. ” ‘I was running on a sod crew. I couldn’t tell you.’ ”
On the football field, though, Slaughter has been tougher to trip up.
Across 33 starts and more than 2,000 snaps with Gators, he allowed six pressures and three sacks, providing rare consistency amid the struggles of former coach Billy Napier’s offense.
Teams value that reliability, along with a solid combine performance that included a 5.1-second 40-yard dash and 32.5-inch vertical leap.
ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. ranks Slaughter as the top center in the draft, thought he projects him as a fourth-round pick.
“I like everything about Slaughter’s game,” Kiper wrote on ESPN.com. “Slaughter is just a really good, consistent football player.”
Others are less convinced. Longtime draft analyst Tony Pauline of Essentially Sports questions the 6-foot-5, 303-pound Slaughter’s strength - he posted 22 reps on the 225-pound bench press - and fit at the next level.
“He’s smart and he’s tough, and he’s got room to get bigger,” Pauline told the Orlando Sentinel. “There’s a lot of effort. Gets the most from his ability. But what is he?”
After meeting with all 32 NFL teams at January’s Senior Bowl and the following month at the combine, Slaughter understands the evaluation process.
“Everybody’s got something,” he said. “A lot of good, lot of stuff to fix. It’s a turtle race.”
A native of Sparr on the outskirts of Ocala, Slaughter leans on a blue-collar work ethic passed down from his father, Jack, along with a shared love of the outdoors. He plans to watch the draft at home, but might slip out to go fishing - rather than weigh draft projections or criticism.
The toughest question he’s faced so far didn’t come between the lines, but from a fender bender he’d long forgotten.
But Slaughter wants teams to know one thing most of all: “I love football and I play hard for my guys.”
Projections for other Gators
Caleb Banks, DT, 2nd round
Concerns linger after multiple foot surgeries, but Banks' upside could be too enticing to pass up. He tested exceptionally well at 6 foot 6, 327 pounds, including a 5.04 40 and 32-inch vertical. Limited to three games in 2025, he was disruptive. He dominated late in 2024, highlighted by a 2.5-sack day in an upset of Ole Miss. Healthy, he could be a steal.
Austin Barber, OT, 3rd round
After three seasons at left tackle, Barber likely shifts to the right side - where he excelled as a redshirt freshman in 2022. The 6-foot-6 7/8, 318-pound Jacksonville native ranked eighth among tackles at the combine. His versatility, athleticism and 47 college starts point to Day 2 value, but he must play with more power and less finesse.
Devin Moore, CB, 4th round
Injuries could push Moore into Day 3, but his length (6-3 1/4, 198), tackling and better-than-tested speed stand out after 4.5 40 while returning from groin surgery. After playing 19 of 38 games from 2022-24, he started 11 in 2025, recording 35 tackles and six passes defended. He must develop better ball skills in man coverage.
J. Michael Sturdivant, WR, 6th round
The UCLA transfer impressed at the combine (4.4 40, 10-foot, 10-11 broad jump). Sturdivant consistently produced at three stops, beginning in 2022 at Cal. He finished with 150 receptions for 2,076 yards and 16 scores in four seasons, including 27 grabs for 406 yards and three scores at Florida. But he played more like a possession receiver than a deep threat. His ceiling may be a No. 4 or 5 option.
Trey Smack, K, 6th round
Teams are drafting kickers more frequently, and few match Smack’s leg strength. He set a school-record with 10 field goals of at least 50 yards. From 2023-25, he peaked at 10th nationally in touchback rate (2023). Walterfootball.com ranks him as the top kicker in the draft.
George Gumbs Jr., Edge, 6th round
Athletic and relentless, Gumbs lacks experience after beginning as a walk-on receiver at Northern Illinois University. His 4.66 40 and 41-inch vertical leap intrigue teams. After recording 35 tackles (five sacks) in 2024, Gumbs shook off a slow start to record a tackle for loss in four of his final six games. At 6-4 3/8, 245 pounds, Gumbs must improve in coverage to complement his pass rushing skills.
Tyreak Sapp, DE, undrafted free agent
After a breakout 2024 (13 tackles for loss, seven sacks), Sapp regressed with one sack and 2.5 TFLs. Undersized (6-2 3/8, 273) and sidelined by hamstring injury pre-draft, the Fort Lauderdale native’s stock dipped. If he regains form, he could could carve out a role as an early-down run defender.
Tommy Doman, P, undrafted free agent
The Michigan transfer capably replaced school record-holder Jeremy Crawshaw. Doman averaged 44 yards per punt, with 13 over 50 yards and 17 placed inside the 20 on 50 attempts. Not as dynamic as Crawshaw, but steady enough to earn an NFL camp invite.
Edgar Thompson can be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com
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This story was originally published April 22, 2026 at 7:08 AM.